Netherlands to acquire Finnish littoral assault craft in LCVP replacement programme
The Dutch navy had reportedly been considering BAE Systems’ Littoral Strike Craft to replace its ageing landing craft fleet.
Vulcanair Aircraft has selected UTC Aerospace Systems to deliver its Cloud Cap Technology TASE500 imaging systems to support the Chilean Navy’s maritime search and rescue (SAR) mission, UTC Aerospace Systems announced on 8 December.
The systems will be installed on Vulcanair's P68 Observer 2 twin-engine aircraft, which are being delivered to the navy for patrol, maritime observation and SAR operations.
The TASE500 is an all-HD, digital imaging system designed for improved situational awareness. Its lens design is optimised for object recognition, and it features a continuous zoom function and advanced processing capabilities.
Remo De Feo, CEO, Vulcanair Aircraft, said: ‘The addition of the Cloud Cap Technology TASE500 Imaging System to the P68 Observer 2 will allow us to provide a turnkey, high performance, cost efficient solution to the search and rescue market. The all HD imaging system of the TASE500 was a critical requirement in providing the Chilean Navy with superior night-time imaging as well as long range daylight surveillance.’
John Trezza, vice president, Force Protection, UTC Aerospace Systems, said: ‘We are proud to be selected by Vulcanair Aircraft, a respected name in aviation, to provide the Chilean Navy with an optical imaging solution that meets the demands of their extensive maritime operations. The TASE500's optimised lens design will enable search and rescue operators to more easily identify objects at sea and along the coastline.’
The Dutch navy had reportedly been considering BAE Systems’ Littoral Strike Craft to replace its ageing landing craft fleet.
Saab Kockums was initially awarded the contract to build two A26 submarines for the Royal Swedish Navy in 2015, but the programme has faced delays and escalating costs.
If the foreign military sale request is approved, Germany would be the first country outside the US to acquire the technology, which is currently used extensively by the US Navy.
Satellite navigation is increasingly critical for global maritime defence, and Low Earth Orbit satellites are rapidly overtaking the traditional and more widely used Medium Earth Orbit option as they are less susceptible to jamming or spoofing.
The initial sea trials for Virginia-class SSN 798 conducted by Newport News Shipbuilding division and the US Navy marked an “important step”, but the ongoing AUKUS review casts a shadow over what the progress means for the partner nations.
The US Navy is conducting market research to find AI software products for the Collaborative Integrated Air and Missile Defence Planning Programme.